EP0574515A1

EP0574515A1 - Receptacle, e.g. bottle and co-operative carrier and mount therefor, e.g. for bicycles

Info

Publication number: EP0574515A1
Application number: EP92908281A
Authority: EP
Inventors: Kevin M. Faulds
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 1991-04-25
Filing date: 1992-04-24
Publication date: 1993-12-22
Also published as: US5390836A; AU1551292A; CA2091879A1; US5238160A; WO1992019487A1; JPH06503289A

Abstract

On décrit de nouvelles unités composées d'un nouveau récipient et d'un nouvel élément de montage combinés. L'invention se rapporte ainsi à un élément de montage devant être utilisé conjointement avec un récipient, l'élément de montage comprenant: une base (1100) devant être fixée à une surface choisie, la base comprenant un bras de support et d'alignement (111) faisant saillie selon un certain angle vers le haut à partir de la base, et des éléments coopérants associés de manière fonctionnelle avec le bras d'alignement et de support afin d'appliquer une pression sur celui-ci et de maintenir un récipient accroché sur le bras, et, en combinaison avec l'élément de montage, un récipient pourvu d'éléments, tels qu'une poche centrale (512), conçus pour s'accrocher de manière coopérante et serrée sur le bras de support et d'alignement, le récipient étant conçu pour être automatiquement et hermétiquement fermé par l'intermédiaire d'éléments de fermeture (1500) sollicités de manière élastique.New units are described consisting of a new container and a new combined mounting element. The invention thus relates to a mounting element to be used in conjunction with a container, the mounting element comprising: a base (1100) to be attached to a selected surface, the base comprising a support and alignment arm (111) protruding at an upward angle from the base, and cooperating members operatively associated with the alignment and support arm to apply pressure thereto and hold a container hooked onto the arm, and, in combination with the mounting member, a container provided with features, such as a central pocket (512), designed to cooperatively and tightly hook onto the support arm and alignment, the container being adapted to be automatically and hermetically sealed via resiliently biased closure members (1500).

Description

in

Receptacle, e.g. Bottle and Co-operative Carrier and Mount Therefor, e.g. for Bicycles

(2 ) Technical Field

This invention relates to a receptacle, e.g. a bottle and a co-operative carrier and/or mount therefor, whereby the receptacle (bottle) and the carrier (mount) can be a unit. In one preferred embodiment, it relates to a bottle and co-operative bottle carrier and mount for bicycles. (3) Background Art

Bicycle riding has become very popular for transportation, recreation, and exercise. Like all vigorous physical activities, bicycle riding makes the participant thirsty, and he or she will often want to drink a refreshing beverage. Accordingly, many riders will take a beverage with them on the bicycle, especially if they are going on a long ride. Often, the rider will prefer not to stop to take a drink. In that case, it is desirable that the beverage bottle be readily accessible and convenient to open.

It is accordingly common for one involved in the sport of bicycling to carry a supply of liquid while riding. This supply of liquid is generally contained in a bottle which can be carried on the bicycle by means which is affixed to a portion of the bicycle frame and into which the rider inserts the bottle when not in use.

Bottles and bottle mounts made especially for bicycles are available commercially. There are several shortcomings and inefficiencies associated with the most commonly used of these bottle and cage devices. One type of commercially-available bottle mount, the cage mount, is usually a simple wire holder or basket which can be affixed to the bicycle and receive a beverage container. This receptacle cage thus may be a simple wire or plastic cage¬ like bottle holder which is affixed to the bicycle frame and into which the bottle must be inserted or out of which

SUBST5TUTE SHEET it must be removed while riding. In some cases, the container fits fairly loosely in the cage and presents a possibility that the container can fall out, especially when the bicycle is accidentally tipped over. The user may not observe that the container has fallen out, and it might be lost. In other cases, the bottle fits tightly within the cage, and although it is not as likely to fall out, it is fairly hard to remove.

Tension of the cage is present but does vary considerably: some cages are so loose as to permit the bottle to fall out as a result of vibration during riding; other cages are so tight that the rider must exert considerable pressure to remove the bottle. Both situations distract the rider from devoting full attention to control of the bicycle and sometimes result in accidents causing serious injury.

The cage, having many contact points with the surface of the bottle, does considerable damage to the exterior finish of the bottle over time as a result of the insertion and removal process. This adds undue cost due to a higher than necessary bottle replacement frequency. Furthermore, the cage protrudes from each side of the bicycle frame and is often damaged when a bicycle falls over.

Another type of commercially-available bottle mount comprises a bracket having a tapered dovetail slot and a bottle having a complementary dovetail rib. This type of holder is even more difficult to use than the cage type, inasmuch as the bottle must be turned about its axis and positioned with the dovetails aligned before it can be slid lengthwise into position. The difficulty of repositioning the bottle after it is used is a serious disadvantage and constitutes somewhat of a hazard to the bicyclist. The dovetail mount does, however, have the advantage of being a relatively small and lightweight form of connection between the bottle and the bicycle, as compared to the somewhat larger, heavier cages. Another problem area is the actual bottle used within the bottle mount. The bottle is generally a cylindrical container having a wide closure at the top for filling purposes and a smaller closure at the top of this wide closure which is used for drinking from. This smaller closure generally has a seal which is activated by pushing downwards and released by pulling upwards.

The top of the bottle is normally unprotected from the elements and accumulates dirt, mud, road grease, and other substances which are thrown up by the wheels during riding. These substances enter the body via the mouth when drinking thereby causing an element of risk to rider health.

The seal of the bottle must be opened in order to drink and this is generally accomplished by gripping the seal with the teeth as the rider pulls forward on the bottle. This, in addition to distracting the rider, again causes dirt to enter the mouth. The forces exerted on the top during opening and closing of the seal often cause tears in the top of the closure after a period of time. The capacity of the bottle is generally restricted to two sizes which can be accommodated by the standard cage; these are approximately 600 ml and 800 ml. Riders often carry 2 bottles and sometimes three or four in order to have sufficient fluids to meet their needs. The results of carrying these extra bottles include: added weight; and extremely awkward and sometimes dangerous mounting locations for the second and subsequent bottles.

The location and angle of the drinking spout causes the rider generally to hold the bottle directly in front of his face and angled upwards while drinking. This obstructs the rider's forward view and sometimes results in accidents, causing injury.

Insulation added will decrease the bottle's capacity to hold fluids. Insulation added to the outside surface of the bottle is generally of a rubbery compound which causes the bottle to be very difficult to release from and insert into the cage. Because of these problems most riders use an uninsulated bottle, which provides warm and unpalatable fluids.

The aerodynamics of the bottle are poor since the bottle is cylindrical, having a diameter much larger than the frame tube to which it is attached. The cage adds to this aerodynamic disadvantage since it extends outward beyond the bottle. These poor aerodynamics have the effect of adding time to a riders race or trip as well as adding to rider fatigue. More particularly, a prior art fixture for mounting a water-bottle on a bicycle frame, generally included a fixing member. The fixing member carried a support member made mainly from metallic wires, and was fixed to the frame through fixing means. The water-bottle, which was mainly cylindrical and had at the head a faucet covered by a cap, at its head, detachably engaged with the support member, thereby being mounted on the frame. The bottle was mounted on the cylindrical frame through the fixture in such a way that an increased air resistance was created against the bicycle's running.

During the running of the bicycle, air flowed from the front of the frame rearwardly along both sides thereof and then entered into the gaps. This caused eddy air currents which increased the air resistance as a whole against the running of the bicycle. The air resistance increased in proportion to the running speed of the bicycle, thereby hindering its running at high speed and inducing increased fatigue in a rider.

In the patent literature, the following patents relate to the provision of a water bottle and a fixture for mounting the water bottle on a bicycle:

U.S. Patent No. 4,386,721, patented June 7, 1983 by Keizo Shimano;

U.S. Patent No. 4,437,596, patented March 20, 1989 by W. B. Shook;

U.S. Patent No. 4,441,638, patented April 10, 1984 by K. Shimano; U.S. Patent No. 4,544,077, patented October 1, 1985 by H. Rucher;

U.S. Patent No. 4,830,239, patented May 16, 1989 by G. J. Tackles; U.S. Patent No. 4883,205, patented November 28, 1989 by W. P. Saeleno; and

U.S. Patent No. 4,957,227, patented September 18, 1990 by J. Trible.

The art was also faced with the problem of providing means for automatically sealing the container upon placing the container in the holder. Among the patents which provided automatic closure devices for automatically sealing a container when the container was placed on a holder are the following: U.S. Patent No. 1,115,656, patented November 3, 1914 by W. D. Fritschle;

U.S. Patent No. 1.292,480, patented January 28, 1919 by F. Kessel;

U.S. Patent No. 1,436,515, patented November 21, 1922 by R. B. Mitchell;

U.S. Patent No. 2,441,417, patented May 11, 1948 by T. J. Hopkins;

U.S. Patent No. 2,710,694, patented June 14, 1955 by R. R. Carr; U.S. Patent No. 4,088,250, patented May 9, 1978 by D. J. Sahefer; '

U.S. Patent No. 4,193,525, patented March 18, 1980 by G. L. So mers; and

U.S. Patent No. 4,050,584, patented September 27, 1972 by J. L. Lino.

The art was also faced with the problem of providing a suitable bottle mount. Among the desirable features of such a carrier for a bottle are that it should: hold the bottle more securely; permit fluid consumption with less rider effort; keep the top clean of contaminants; open the drink spout automatically for the rider; re-seal the drink spout automatically for the rider; reduce instances of support fixture damage; eliminate bottle surface damage by the fixture; improve aerodynamics; permit more effective insulation properties; and permit a greater variety of bottle capacity options. Some patents which provided bottle mounts and/or bottles which purported to provide some of such desired characteristics included the following:

U.S. Patent No. 2,926,828, patented March 1, 1960 by R. Kuddie; U.S. Patent No. 4,009,810, patented March 1, 1977 by . B. Shook; and

U.S. Patent No. 4,345,704, patented August 24, 1982, by M. S. Boughton.

(4) Disclosure of Invention

This invention aims to solve many of the problems of the prior art and to provide a receptacle and mount combination having the following features: a dispensing aperture in the receptacle is automatically closed by fitting the receptacle to the mount; the assembly and disassembly of such combination is easily and efficiently achieved by a smooth one-handed operation; a bottle carrier and bottle combination for bicycles that combines the advantages of comparatively small size, light weight and reliability and ease of use by means of a one-handed operation with minimum or reduced likelihood of loosing control of a moving bicycle; a bottle carrier and bottle combination in which there is greater security in the combination bottle/bottle carrier so that there is less risk of the bottle being accidentally dislodged from the carrier; a novel combination set of, e.g., salt and pepper shaker or cream and sugar receptacles, in which the combination is assembled and disassembled in a smooth and easy manner while automatically closing the apertures in the salt and pepper shaker, and simultaneously sealing out moisture; and a novel combination of a plurality of canisters in which each unit of the combination is assembled and disassembled in a smooth and easy manner while automatically closing the opening of the canister while the combination of canister and mount is being assembled. This invention provides a solution to the aforementioned problems of the prior art and provides a mechanism for use in combination with a receptacle, the mechanism including a mount comprising: a base for securement to a selected surface, the base including an angularly-upwardly projecting alignment and support arm projecting from the base, and cooperative means, operatively associated with the alignment and support arm, to apply pressure against the alignment and support arm to hold a receptacle impaled on the alignment and support arm; the cooperative means being e.g. gripping members co¬ operatively associated with the alignment and support arm and projecting outwardly from the base, and a co-operative, resiliently-biased hinged closure means; or being co¬ operative resiliently-biased hinged closure means which are longitudinally-spaced apart from the alignment and the support arm, such resiliently-biased closure means includ¬ ing a hood hingedly secured to the base by an over centre hinge connection.

In a first embodiment of the invention, this invention provides a bottle and carrier combination for use on a bicycle, the carrier comprising: a base for securement to a • selected surface, the base including an angularly- upwardly projecting alignment and support arm projecting from the base, and cooperative means, operatively associated with the alignment and support arm, to apply pressure against the alignment and support arm to hold a receptacle impaled on the alignment and support arm; the cooperative means being e.g. gripping members co¬ operatively associated with the alignment and support arm and projecting outwardly from the base, and a co-operative, resiliently-biased hinged closure means; or being a co¬ operative, resiliently-biased hinged closure means which are longitudinally-spaced apart from the alignment and the support arm, such resiliently-biased closure means including a hood hingedly secured to the base by an over centre hinge; and in combination with the mount, a receptacle provided with means, e.g. centrally-positioned pocket means which are adapted to co-operate with and to be impaled on and to be grippingly associated with the alignment and support arm means, the receptacle being adapted automatically to be sealed by means of the resiliently-biased closure means.

Preferred features of such first embodiment of the invention include the following: the laterally-spaced-apart gripping members are co-operatively associated with the alignment and support arm means and project outwardly from the base; the base includes angularly-upwardly-projecting, central alignment and support arm means projecting from the base, laterally-spaced-apart gripping members co¬ operatively associated with the alignment and support arm means and projecting outwardly from the base, and a pivotally-mounted, resiliently-biased closure means; the bottle is provided with an internal pocket, e.g. a central internal pocket of the same complementary shape, size and location as, and being adapted to be impaled upon, the alignment and support arm means, the bottle also including co-operative female grippable means of the same complementary shape, size and location as, and adapted to mate with, the gripping members, and an opening adapted to be sealed upon fitment of the bottle with respect to the carrier by actuated pivoting of the resiliently-biased hood with respect to the carrier; the base includes angularly- upwardly-projecting support arm means projecting from the base, gripping members, e.g. laterally-spaced-apart gripping members co-operatively associated with the alignment and support arm means and projecting outwardly from the base, and a co-operative, resiliently-biased closure means; and the receptacle is provided with means, e.g. centrally-positioned means which are adapted to co- operate and to mate with the alignment and support arm means, co-operative grippable means, and an opening adapted automatically to be sealed by means of a resiliently-biased closure means. In such first embodiment combination, the support arm means may be of generally oval cross-section, e.g. the support arm means includes a wide lower body portion converging to a narrower free end portion.

In such first embodiment combination, the securement support means may comprise a pair of longitudinally-spaced- apart upstanding walls, each wall being spaced from the alignment and support arm means. The longitudinally- spaced-apart upstanding walls may have a generally- rectangular cross-section, and may have a triangular side elevational appearance. Each of the upstanding walls may include inwardly-directed, laterally situated means for frictionally gripping the bottle which is impaled on the alignment and support arms. The frictionally-gripping means may comprise a rhomboidally-shaped internally directed projection on each upstanding wall. The co¬ operative, resiliently-biased closure means may comprise a closure surface projecting angularly-upwardly from the inner surface at the top of the mount, the closure surface being provided with a resilient plug thereon. In such first embodiment combination, the pivotally- mounted, spring-biased hood may be spring-biased by means of co-operation with at least one spring tension tab. The spring tabs may be either formed with, or be mounted to, the base of the carrier. The hood may be pivotally- mounted between a pair of support risers projecting from the base of the mount. The pivotal mounting may be by spaced-apart pins on the hood, which fit into pivot wells in the support risers. The pivotal mounting may be by a pin passing through aligned apertures in the hood and the support risers.

In such first embodiment combination, the actuated pivoting may be achieved by means of a hood-closing chin on the hood, cooperating with, and contacting, a closing surface on the bottle. The lower face of the base of the mount may be provided with a pair of inwardly directed, bicycle-frame contacting flanges. The bottle may be an aerodynamically-shaped bottle. The internal pocket within the bottle may include a wide inlet portion converging to a narrower closed end portion. The co-operative female securement means may comprise a pair of longitudinally- spaced-apart shallow pockets, each pocket being laterally spaced from the internal pocket. The shallow pockets may include rhomboidally-shaped internal depressions extending internally from the base of the shallow pockets. The bottle may include a manually-openable filling aperture as well as the automatically openable and closeable outlet aperture.

The first embodiment of the invention preferably comprises a bottle and carrier combination for use on bicycles, the carrier comprising a base for securement to a selected surface of a bicycle frame, the base including angularly-upwardly-projecting alignment and support arm means projecting from the base, gripping members co¬ operatively associated with the alignment and support arm means and projecting outwardly from the base, and a pivotally-mounted, resiliently-biased hood; and the carrier preferably comprises: a base for securement to a selected surface of a bicycle frame, the base including central angularly-upwardly-projecting alignment and support arm means projecting from the base, laterally-spaced-apart gripping members co-operatively associated with the alignment and support arm means and projecting outwardly from the base, and a pivotally-mounted, resiliently-biased hood; wherein the support arm means is of generally oval cross-section; wherein the alignment and support arm means includes a wide lower body portion converging to a narrower free end portion; wherein the securement support means comprises a pair of longitudinally-spaced-apart upstanding walls, each wall being spaced from the support arm means; wherein the longitudinally-spaced-apart upstanding walls have a generally rectangular cross-section, and have a triangular side elevational appearance; wherein each the upstanding wall includes inwardly-directed laterally situated means for frictionally gripping the bottle which is impaled thereon; wherein the frictionally-gripping means comprise a rhomboidally-shaped internally directed projection on each the upstanding wall; wherein the pivotally-mounted, spring-biased hood is spring-biased by means of co-operation with at least one spring tension tab; wherein the spring tabs have either been formed with, or are mounted to, the base of the carrier; wherein the hood is pivotally-mounted between a pair of support risers projecting from the base of the mount; wherein the pivotal mounting is by spaced-apart pins on the hood, which fit into pivot wells in the support risers; wherein the pivotal mounting is by a pin passing through aligned apertures in the hood and the support risers; wherein the actuated pivoting is achieved by means of a hood-closing chin on the hood, cooperating with and contacting a closing surface on the bottle; wherein the lower face of the base of the mount is provided with a pair of inwardly directed, bicycle-frame contacting flanges; wherein the bottle is provided with an internal pocket of the same complementary shape, size and location as, and being adapted to mate with, the support arm means, the bottle also having cooperative means adapted to grip the gripping members, the bottle also having an opening adapted to be sealed upon fitment of the bottle with respect to the carrier by actuated pivoting of the resiliently-biased hood with respect to the carrier; wherein the bottle is provided with a central internal pocket of the same complementary shape, size and location as, and being adapted to be impaled on the central alignment and support arm means, the bottle also including co-operative laterally-spaced-apart female grippable means of the same complementary shape, size and location as, and adapted to mate with, the gripping members, by actuated pivoting of the resiliently-biased hood with respect to the carrier, e.g. wherein the bottle is an aerodynamically-shaped bottle; wherein the internal pocket of the bottle includes a wide inlet portion converging to a narrower closed end portion; wherein the co-operative female securement means comprises a pair of longitudinally-spaced-apart shallow pockets, each pocket being laterally spaced from the internal pocket; wherein the shallow pockets include rhomboidally-shaped internal depressions extending internally from the base of the shallow pockets.

The invention in a second embodiment provides a receptacle and mount combination in which the mount comprises: a base for securement to a selected surface, the base including angularly-upwardly-projecting central alignment and support arm means projecting from the base, and longitudinally-spaced apart means co-operatively associated with the central alignment and support arm means, the spaced-apart means including a pivotally- mounted, spring-biased closure means including a hood hingedly and springingly secured to the base by an over centre hinge connection; and in combination with the mount, a receptacle provided with means, e.g. centrally-positioned pocket means which are adapted to co-operate with and to be impaled on and to be grippingly associated with the alignment and support arm means, the receptacle being adapted automatically to be sealed by means of the resiliently-biased closure means; the gripping association being provided by, e.g. co-operative, resiliently-biased closure means, including a hood hingedly secured to the base by an over centre hinge connection.

By "over centre hinge connection" is meant that the dispensing opening of the receptacle, when the receptacle is secured to the base, is below the hinge point of the hood to the base.

Preferred features of second embodiment of the invention include the following: The carrier comprises a base for securement to a selected surface of a bicycle frame, the base including central angularly-upwardly-projecting support arm means projecting from the base, and a pivotally-mounted, resiliently-biased hood hingedly mounted to the carrier by an over centre hinge connection; the bottle is provided with a central internal pocket of the same complementary shape, size and location as, and being adapted to be impaled upon, the central alignment and support arm means, the bottle also including an opening; the opening is fitted with a main cap fitted with a twist cap, which caps are adapted to co-operate to convert the main cap from a sealed cap to a flow-through cap and vice versa, the flow-through cap being adapted automatically to be sealed upon fitment of the receptacle with respect to the mount by actuated pivoting of the spring-biased closure means with respect to the mount; and the conversion is achieved by 180° rotation of the twist cap with respect to the main cap.

The invention also provides, as a third embodiment, for use with a pair of receptacles, a mount comprising: a central upright column provided with two oppositely positioned, angularly-upwardly-projecting pairs of laterally-spaced-apart alignment and support arm means, a pair of upper, pivotally-mounted, resiliently-biased caps, and a platform supporting the central upright column; wherein the platform is provided with lower, gripping suction pads; wherein the alignment and support arm means are of generally rectangular cross-section; wherein the alignment and support arm means, in plan view, include a wide lower body portion converging to a narrower free end portion; wherein the length of the support arm means is the same as the length of the slot in the canister within which it is adapted to fit; wherein the co-operative grippable support means comprises inwardly directed edges or ends of the support arm means; wherein the pivotally-mounted, spring-biased caps are spring-biased by means of co¬ operation with a spring tension tab; wherein the spring tension tab is either formed with, or is fitted on, the upright column of the mount; wherein the cap is pivotally mounted between a pair of support arms extending laterally from the top of the central upright column; wherein the pivotal mounting is achieved by spaced-apart stubs on the support arms fitting into pivot wells in the caps; wherein the actuated pivoting of the caps to seal the receptacles is achieved by means of a cap-closing contact protrusion on the receptacle co-operating with a depending arm on the cap; the mount being provided per se, or in combination with a pair of receptacles, each of the receptacle of the pair of receptacles being provided with opposite depressions in the side walls which are engageable with the alignment and support arm means, and an upper opening adapted automatically to be closed by actuated pivoting of the resiliently-biased cap with respect to the central column; wherein the pivotally-mounted spring-biased lid is spring-biased by co-operation with a fitted spring; wherein the fitted spring is attached to the central upright column; wherein the alignment and support arm means are generally rectangular in cross-section; wherein the length of each such alignment and support arm means is the same as the length of the depression in the receptacle within which it is adapted to fit; wherein the lids are mounted between a pair of support risers extending from the upright column; wherein the pivotal mounting is achieved by spaced-apart pins on the support riser fitting into pivot wells in the lids; wherein the actuated pivoting of the lid to seal the receptacle is achieved by means of depending arm means on the lid co-operating with a protrusion on the upper portion of the receptacle; a resilient material is included within the lid to seal the dispensing opening in the receptacle; wherein the platform is provided with lower, gripping suction pads. The invention also provides, as a fourth embodiment, for use with a plurality of canisters, a mount comprising a base, a lower plurality of pairs of laterally-spaced- apart angularly-upwardly-projecting alignment and support arm means projecting from the base, and a plurality of upper pivotally-mounted, resiliently-biased outwardly- projecting lids; wherein the pivotal mounting is achieved by spaced-apart stubs on the support arms fitting into pivot wells in the caps; wherein the actuated pivoting of the caps to seal the canisters is achieved by means of a cap-closing contact protrusion on the canister co-operating with a depending arm on the cap; the mount being provided per se. or in combination with a plurality of canisters, each of the canisters comprising a rectangular parallelepiped, open-topped canister having two side wall indentations which are adapted to mate with the laterally- spaced-apart alignment and support arm means, the spacing of a transverse space between the two side wall indenta¬ tions in the receptacle being the same as the space between a co-operative pair of alignment and support arm means; the open top of the canister being adapted to be closed by the lid by means of actuated pivoting of the lid with respect to the base; wherein the pivotally-mounted spring- biased lid is spring-biased by co-operation with a fitted spring; wherein the fitted spring is attached between a protruding post on the lid and the carrier; wherein the alignment and support arm means are generally rectangular in cross-section; wherein the length of each such alignment and support arm means is the same as the length of the side wall indentation in the canister within which it is adapted to fit; wherein the lids are mounted between a pair of support risers projecting from the baseboard; wherein the pivotal mounting is achieved by spaced-apart pins on the support riser fitting into pivot wells in the lids; wherein the actuated pivoting of the lid to seal the canister is achieved by means of depending arm means on the lid co¬ operating with an actuating face on the upper portion of the canister; a plurality of spaced-apart mounts are fitted to a base board; and wherein a resilient materialis included within the lid to seal the dispensing opening in the canister.

(5. Brief Description of the Drawings In the accompanying drawings, Figure 1 is a central longitudinal cross-section of the bottle/carrier combination of one embodiment of this invention.

Figure 2 is a side elevational view of the carrier forming part of the first embodiment of the present invention;

Figure 2A is a side elevational view of an upper portion of the carrier of Figure 2 forming part of the first embodiment of the present invention;

Figure 3 is a top plan view of the carrier forming part of the first embodiment of the present invention;

Figure 3A is a top plan view of the upper portion of the carrier of Figure 3 forming part of the first embodi¬ ment of the present invention;

Figure 4 is a plan view of a carrier showing the location of the sections 4A - 4H;

Figures 4A - 4H are front elevational and sectional views of the carrier as viewed from the arrow 4A - 4H of Figure 4;

Figure 5 is a side elevational view of the bottle forming part of the first embodiment of the present invention; '

Figure 6 is a back or rear elevational view, i.e. the carrier contact surface side, of the bottle of Figure 5 of the first embodiment of the present invention; Figure 7 is a top plan view of the bottle of Figure 5 of the first embodiment of the present invention;

Figure 8 is a bottom plan view of the bottle of Figure 5 of the first embodiment of the present invention;

Figure 9 is a bottom plan view of the bottle/carrier combination of Figure 1 of the first embodiment of the present invention, including a bicycle frame member mounting surface; Figure 10 is a perspective view of the bottle/carrier combination of the second embodiment of this invention;

Figure 11 is a perspective view of the carrier forming part of the second embodiment of the present invention; Figure 12 is a side elevational view of the carrier including the hood thereon forming part of the second embodiment of the present invention;

Figure 13 is an underside plan view of the carrier forming part of the second embodiment of the present invention;

Figures 14A - 14C respectively, are sections along the lines XIVA-XIVA, XIVB-XIVB and XIVC-XIVC of Figure 13, through the base of the carrier forming part of the second embodiment of the present invention; Figure 14D is a front elevational view of the carrier forming part of the second embodiment of the invention as shown in Figure 12;

Figure 15 is a perspective view of the hood of the carrier forming part of the second embodiment of the present invention;

Figure 16 is a side elevational view of the hood of Figure 15 of the carrier forming part of the second embodiment of the present invention;

Figure 17 is a rear elevational view of the hood of Figure 15 of the carrier forming part of the second embodiment of the present invention; '

Figure 18 is a front elevational view of the hood of Figure 15 of the carrier forming part of the second embodiment of the present invention; Figure 19 is a perspective view of the bottle including the two co-operative caps thereon forming part of the second embodiment of the present invention;

Figure 20 is a side elevational view of the bottle of Figure 19 forming part of the second mentioned embodiment of the present invention; Figure 21 is a central longitudinal cross-sectional view of the bottle of Figure 19 forming part of the second embodiment of the present invention;

Figure 22 is a bottom plan view of the bottle of Figure 19 forming part of the second embodiment of the present invention;

Figure 23 is a back or rear elevational view of the bottle of Figure 19 forming part of the second embodiment of the present invention; Figure 24 is a perspective view of the main cap for the bottle of Figure 19 forming part of the second embodiment of the present invention;

Figure 25 is a bottom view of the main cap of Figure 24 for the bottle of Figure 19 forming part of the second embodiment of the present invention;

Figure 26 is a top view of the main cap of Figure 24 for the bottle of Figure 19 forming part of the second embodiment of the present invention;

Figure 27 is a perspective view of the twist cap for insertion into the main cap of Figure 24 for the bottle of Figure 19 forming part of the second embodiment of the present invention;

Figure 28 is a side elevational view of the twist cap of Figure 27 for insertion into the main cap of Figure 24 for the bottle of Figure 19 forming part of the second embodiment of the present invention; '

Figure 29 is a bottom view of the twist cap of Figure 27 for insertion into the main cap of Figure 24 for the bottle of Figure 19 forming part of the second embodiment of the present invention;

Figure 30 is a top view of the twist cap of Figure 27 for the bottle of Figure 19 forming part of the second embodiment of the present invention;

Figure 31 is a central longitudinal section of the assembled main cap of Figure 24/twist cap of Figure 27 for the bottle of Figure 19 forming part of the second embodiment of the present invention; Figures 32A - 32C are sequential side elevational views of the bottle/carrier combination of the first embodiment of the present invention of Figure 1 showing, from fully gripped to fully released, the removal of the bottle from the carrier;

Figures 33A - 33D are side elevational views of the bottle/carrier combination of the second embodiment of the present invention of Figure 10 showing sequentially, from fully gripped to fully released, the removal of the bottle from the carrier;

Figures 34 - 38 are views of a third embodiment of this invention in which:

Figure 34 is a side elevational view of the carrier forming part of the third embodiment of this embodiment; Figure 35 is a top plan view of the carrier of Figure 33 forming part of the third embodiment of this invention;

Figure 36 is a side elevational view of one container used with the carrier of Figure 34 forming part of the third embodiment of this invention; Figure 37 is a rear or back elevational view of the container of Figure 36;

Figure 38 is a top plan view of the container of Figure 36;

Figure 39 is a side elevational view of the container/carrier of this third embodiment of this invention in the form of a salt and pepper set showing the release of one such container;

Figures 40 - 46D are views of a fourth embodiment of this invention, in which: Figure 40 is a front elevational view of the base board forming part of the fourth embodiment of this invention;

Figure 41 is a side elevational view of the base board and carrier forming part of the fourth embodiment of this invention;

Figure 42 is a front elevational view of the carrier forming part of the fourth embodiment of this invention; Figure 43 is a side elevational view of the canister forming part of the fourth embodiment of this invention;

Figure 44 is a front elevational view of the canister of Figure 43 forming part of the fourth embodiment of this invention;

Figure 45 is a top plan view of the canister of Figure 42 forming part of the fourth embodiment of this invention; and

Figures 46A - 46D are sequential side elevational views of the canister/carrier combination of Figure 40 showing the removal of the canister from the carrier.

(6) Best Modes for Carrying Out the Invention

Figure 1 shows the carrier/bottle combination of the first embodiment of this invention. It shows the base 100, the bottle 500 and the hood 120, as well as the cooperative arm 111 and pocket 512. Full details of these components will be described hereinafter.

As seen in Figures 2 - 4H inclusive, the base 100 includes a rectangular plate 101 which has a flat bottom face 102 through which three spaced-apart holes 103 are drilled. Plate 101 is also provided with a pair of lateral converging support flanges 104. Plate 101 is also provided with a pair of laterally-spaced-apart gripping or locking tab support members 105, which are either formed integral with, or are welded to, the plate 101 parallel to its central longitudinal axis and at the marginal edges thereof. Each member 105 is substantially triangular in side elevation. Projecting from each inner face 106 of support member 105 is a rhomboidally-shaped gripping projection or tab 107.

The upper end 108 of the plate 101 is provided with a pair of lateral ears 109, each being provided with a bore 110 therethrough whose purpose will be described hereinafter.

Disposed along the central longitudinal axis of plate 101 is an alignment and support arm 111. The alignment and support arm 111, (in side elevational view) comprises shallow extensions 112 and 113, spanning a central area from which extends an outwardly projecting finger 114.

As seen in Figures 4 and 4A - 4H, the support arm 111 includes a broad base 115 which merges to narrow projecting finger 114. The views in Figures 4A - 4H show the variations in appearance of the plate 101 and the alignment and support arm 111 at selected points along the length of plate 101, as selected in Figure 4. As mentioned hereinbefore, the lateral ears 109 are each provided with a bore 110 through which pivot pin 130 is mounted to capture hood 120. The hood 120 cooperates with spring means 121 which is provided on base 100, so that it is sprung upwardly to the position shown in Figure 2. The pivotally-mounted hood 120, is mounted by means of pivot pin 130 within a bracket defined by the two laterally-spaced-apart ears 109.

The hood 120 includes an inner well 123, which may be lined with a resilient sealing element 131. The hood 120 includes a lower protruding chin 122. The lower unexposed face 124 of the hood 120 acts as a reaction surface against the spring 121 to provide the hood 120 with its spring orientation.

An alternative structure of co-operative bottle sealing means is shown in Figures 2A and 3A. As seen in Figures 2A and 3A, the upper end 108 of plate 101 supports an -angularly-upwardly-projecting channel defined by a pair of lateral side walls 116 and a spanning closure surface 117 which is fitted with a sealing resilient block 113, provided to seal the dispensing spout 511 of the bottle 500 (see Figures 5-8) .

Figures 5 - 8 show one embodiment of the bottle 500. The bottle 500 includes a main chamber 510, which is provided with a dispensing spout 511. A deep well 512 is formed within the main 510 of the bottle 500, well 512 being complementary in shape and size to that of the alignment and support arm 111. The bottle 500 is also provided with a hood-closing reaction surface 513 adjacent the dispensing spout 511. In addition, the bottle 500 includes a refilling aperture 514, fitted with a sealing lid 515. As seen more clearly in Figures 5, 6 and 8, the side walls 517 of the bottle 500 are each provided with a well 518 of the same complementary shape and size as the lock tab support walls 105. Such wells 518 each include a further depression 519, of the same complementary size and shape as the rhomboidally-shaped gripping projections 107. The face 520 of the bottle 500 is provided with a guiding peripheral internal ledge 521 which is complementary to the base of the support and alignment arm 111 adjacent to extensions 112 and 113 and the surface spanned therebetween.

Figure 7 shows the configuration of the bottle 500 as seen from the top.

Figure 9 shows, in partially sectional form, the bottle 500/base 100 combination of this embodiment of the invention. Further details thereof will be described with reference to Figures 33A-33C.

Figure 10 shows the overall perspective view of a second embodiment of the invention, i.e. a bottle 1900 and a carrier 1100, including a hood 1500. As seen in Figures 11 - 14D inclusive, the base 1100 includes a rectangular plate 1101 which has a flat bottom face 1102 through which two spaced-apart holes 1103 are drilled. The plate 1101 is bifurcated at one end into two lateral plates 1104. The terminal end is provided with a terminal transverse plate 1105, and the intermediate end is provided with an intermediate transverse plate 1106.

That terminal end of the plate 1101 is provided with a pair of lateral upstanding ears 1107, each being provided with a bore 1108 therethrough, whose purpose will be described hereinafter.

Disposed along the central longitudinal axis of the carrier plate 1101 at the opposite end thereof is an alignment and support arm 1111. The alignment and support arm 1111 (in side elevational view) comprises extensions 1112 and 1113, spanning a central area 1114, from which extends an outwardly, upwardly projecting alignment and support arm 1115. The alignment and support arm 1115 terminates in a curved end.

Figures 13 and 14A-14D show the configuration of the base 1100. Figure 13 provides the transverse areas of the base 1100 whose cross-sections are shown in Figures 14A- 14C.

As seen in Figures 14A-14C, the base 1100 includes a flat upper plate 1102, a pair of lateral, inwardly toed flanges 1110A, and an arcuate surface 1109, terminating in restraining lip 1110B. Figure 14D, on the other hand, shows an end view looking towards the lateral ears 1107 and the alignment and support arm 1115. It also shows the same shape of the base 1100 as shown in Figures 14A-14C.

As noted above, the lateral ears 1107 are each provided with a bore 1108 through which pivot pin 1120 projects to secure a hood 1500 in pivotal arrangement. The hood 1500 is biased by resilient rubber spring means 1514 one end of which is inserted in a notch (1509) in hood 1500, the other end of which is inserted in a notch in the base 1100. The action of the spring 1504 causes the hood 1500 to be sprung upwardly to the position as shown hereinafter in Figure 33D. Thus, the pivotally-mounted hood 1500, is mounted within a bracket defined by the two laterally-spaced-apart ears 1107 in an over centre manner. As seen in Figures 15 - 18, the hood 1500 includes a generally frusto-conical hollow portion 1501 having a downwardly inwardly sloping face 1502. Portion 1501 merges, in three steps 1503, 1504 and 1505, to a pivot base 1506 having a closed end 1507. Pivot base 1506 includes a pair of lateral buttresses 1510. The lower connecting face of buttresses 1510 is provided with notch 1509 and an additional face 1511. Pivot base 1506 is provided with a bore 1508 therethrough, which is alignable with aligned bores 1108 through wings 1107, and by means which pin 1120 pivotally secures hood 1500 to base 1100. As seen in Figure 13, hollow portion 1501 encloses a well 1512 which is sealed by an inner resilient sealing element 1513.

Figures 19 - 23 show one configuration of the bottle 1900 of the second embodiment of this invention.

As seen in Figures 19 and 20, the bottle 1900 includes a main hollow container portion 1901 and a solid base portion 1902. Main hollow container portion 1901 includes a cylindrical end 1903, a first intermediate frusto-conical portion 1904, a second intermediate frusto-conical portion 1905 and a cylindrical access end 1906. Figure 19 also shows a main cap 2400, (which will be described hereinafter in Figures 24-26) and an integrated twist cap 2700 (which will be described hereinafter in Figures 27-30) . The solid base portion 1902 includes a wide base portion merging into an alignment portion 1908, which terminates in an upwardly- sloping forward edge 1909. As seen in Figures 21, 22 and 23, the bottle 1900 includes a main chamber 1910, provided with a dispensing opening 1911 which is the terminus of access end 1906. The base 1902 is provided with an elongated shallow recess 1912 which leads into a deep well 1913 formed also within the interior chamber 1910 of the bottle 1900. The shapes of the recess 1912 and deep well 1913 are complementary in shape and size to that of the support arm 1111 and the extensions 1112 and 1113 and spanned portions 1114. The base 1902 of the bottle 1900 provides a guiding surface 1909 which is complementary to the base of the support arm 1111 adjacent to surface 1113. The closed end 1907 of the bottle 1900 includes a lower base 1915 as well as lateral converging surfaces 1914.

Figures 24-26 show the structure of the main cap 2400. The cap 2400 comprises a hollow, generally frusto-conical member including main portion 2401 and minor portion 2402 terminating in annular wall 2404. The interior of cap 2400 includes first circumferential wall 2405, first circular ledge 2406, second circumferential wall 2407, second circumferential ledge 2408 and composite terminal end 2409 whose complex structure will be seen hereinafter in Figure 31. Projecting inwardly into cap 2400 is hollow cylindrical member 2410 provided with a bore 2411.

Figures 27-30 show the structure of the twist cap 2700. Twist cap 2700 includes a solid larger diameter end comprised of frusto-conical interlinked portions 2704, 2703, 2701 and 2712 terminating in end 2702 which is provided with bore 2713. It also included a lesser diameter and including cylindrical member 2706, snap- fitting ring 2707 and terminal cylindrical end 2708, terminating in face 2709. Face 2709 is provided with aperture 2710 and spring closure cap 2711.

As seen in Figure 31, the twist cap 2700 has been assembled within main cap 2400.

Main cap 2400 includes conventional internal threads, or other conventional means, by means of which it can be detachably secured to the end 1906 of bottle 1900. Hollow cylindrical member 2410, having bore 2411 therethrough is integral with circular wall 2409, but is eccentric thereto. Circular wall 2409 is the face of hollow cylindrical stub 2412, which is provided with internal cylindrical groove 2413. Stub 2412 is integral with end 2403.

Twist cap 2700 includes a bore therethrough comprising bore 2713, offset bore 2714 and offset bore 2715, leading to outlet 2710. Twist cap 2700 is assembled to main cap 2400 by means of its cylindrical portions 2706 and 2708 being disposed within hollow stub 2412, with its sealing ring 2707 secured within groove 2413.

Figures 34 - 36 show a third embodiment of the present invention in the form of a salt and pepper set 3400.

The carrier of the set 3400 includes a flat base 3411 from which a plurality , e.g. four suction cups 3412 project downwardly to secure the carrier to a flat surface (not shown) . The upper face 3413 of the base 3411 is provided with an upright central post 3414, from which a laterally-spaced-apart pair of double support arms 3415 project. Each of the pairs of double support arms 3415 includes, in side elevation, a generally rectangular base 3416, and, projecting upwardly and longitudinally outwardly, an alignment and support arm 3417. As also seen in Figure 35, the cross-sectional shape of the arms 3415 is generally rectangular, and the tips of the alignment and support arm 3417 are inwardly bent at 3418. The central post 3414 also supports a pair of laterally-spaced-apart cap-supporting arms 3419. Each of the cap supporting arms 3419 includes a pair of longitudinally-directed ears 3420, each provided with a pair of inwardly directed stub shafts 3421. The upper end 3422 of the central post 3414 is provided with a pair of hingedly mounted caps 3423, each mounted to the cap-supporting arms 3419. Each cap 3423 includes a main cap portion 3427 and an inner sealing portion 3424, as well as a depending arm 3425. The cap- supporting arms 3419 each include the transverse ears 3420, which, as stated above, are each provided with a pair of stub shafts 3421 near the end thereof. The cap 3423 includes an aperture 3428 within which the stub shafts 3421 projects to secure the respective cap 3423 to the central post 3414. The central post 3414 is provided with a pair of outwardly projecting springs 3430 to cooperate with depending arm 3425 to control the opening and closing of the cap 3423.

Figures 36 - 38 show various views of a container for use with the carrier 3410, i.e. a salt or pepper shaker 3600. Shaker 3600 includes an upper filling opening 3601 covered with a perforated cap 3602. The side walls 3603 are each provided with a depressed face 3604 of the same complementary size and shape and location as support arm 3415. Such depressed face 3604 is also provided with a shallow well 3605 of the same complementary size and shape and location as gripping projections 3418. The upper rear face 3606 of the shaker 3600 is provided with a cap- operating protrusion 3607. Shaker 3600 is provided with internal well 3610. For ease of alignment, the well 3610 tapers from depressed face 3604 to the rear face 3412. The rear face 3412 is provided with an angled portion 3611 to provide an operative face. The well 3610 is also provided with an upper guiding edge 3604.

Figures 40 - 45 show a fourth embodiment of a carrier/container of this invention in the form of a canister set 4000. Figures 41 and 42 show one suitable configuration of carrier 4100, while Figures 43-45 show one suitable configuration of connector 4300.

As seen in Figure 40, this embodiment of the invention includes a base board 4001 on which is mounted the carrier 4100 of this embodiment. It is observed that the base board may be omitted, and the carrier 4100 may be mounted directly on any suitable wall surface, if it is desired to have only one canister/carrier, or if the spacing of a plurality of canister/carrier sets is to be selected at will. The carrier 4100 includes a base plate 4101, a pair of spaced-apart, upwardly projecting support arms 4112 and a sprung, hingedly-mounted lid 4104. A detailed view of the carrier 4100 is shown in Figures 41 and 42.

The carrier 4100 includes a base 4101 provided with a pair of holes 4106 therethrough by means of which the base 4101 may be secured to the wall surface (not shown) or to a base board 4001 (as shown in Figure 40). In plan view, the base 4101 includes a lower rectangular section 4125, and a mid-converging section 4107, which is capped by a pair of spaced-apart arms 4108. Each arm 4108 is provided with a projecting ear 4109 which includes an inwardly directed stub shaft 4110. The lateral edges 4105 of base 4101 are each provided with an alignment and support arm 4103 in the form of a wide base portion 4112 and a projecting upper finger portion 4113. The inner upper edge 4114 of the finger portion 4113 is provided with a guiding edge 4115. The upper portion 4108 of the base 4101 is fitted with a lid 4104. Lid 4104 includes a head 4116 including a lower sealing face 4117 and a central depending tongue 4118. Tongue 4118 includes a pair of lateral wells 4119 within which the stub shafts 4110 are fitted in order to provide the hinged connection of the lid 4104 to the carrier 4100. Tongue 4118 is provided with raised portions 4124 to affect a mechanical stop for the maximum open position of the lid 4104 by resting against the top of portion 4108. A projection 4120 on the tongue 4118 cooperates with member 4121 on carrier 4100 to support a spring 4123 to provide securement of the lid 4104 to the carrier 4100.

Figures 43, 44 and 45 show the construction of a typical canister 4300 for use in combination with the carrier 4100. Canister 4300 is generally box-shaped, in the form of a geometric figure referred to as a generally- rectangular parallelepiped, provided with an open top 4302 and a handle 4303. Each side wall 4304 is provided with a depression 4305, in the form of a rectangular portion 4306 which is of tapered form from each side wall 4304 to the associated rear wall 4310, as shown at triangular sections 4309. (For ease of alignment, the side wall 4304 is not identical in shape as the lower portion 4112 of the support arm 4103) . The side walls 4304 each include an upper diagonal slanted indented portion 4307 of the same complementary shape, general size and orientation as the alignment and support arm 4103. A guiding depression way 4308 is also provided in each wall 4304 of the same complementary shape, size and orientation as guiding edge 4115. (7) Industrial Applicability

The operation and industrial applicability of the first embodiment of this invention may be clearly seen by reference to Figures 32A - 32C. The base 100 may be secured to a frame member 230 of a bicycle by screw securement through at least two of the holes 103 in the base plate 101 so that the inwardly toed flanges 104 of the base 100 contact the frame member and so that the alignment and support arm 111 projects angularly-upwardly. For proper operation, the base 100 must be secured in a position on the bicycle frame so that the alignment and support arm is exposed. Once so secured, the gripping support walls 105 project outwardly from lateral side edges of the base plate 101 of the carrier 100.

With reference to Figures 32A - 32C, bottle 500 is secured to the base 100, when the hood 120 is sprung so that it is in its outwardly facing "ready" orientation illustrated in Figure 32C. The bottle 500 may then be mated with the base 100 as follows: The alignment and support arm 111 of the base 100 is introduced into the deep well 512 of the bottle (Figure 32C) . As the bottle is moved angularly-downwardly guided by the alignment and support arm 111, the gripping support walls 105 are introduced into the indentations 518. Continued downward urging of the bottle 500 causes the reaction surface 513 of the bottle 500 first to abut the lower projecting chin 122 of the hood 120 (Figure 32B) and then deflect the hood 120 against the urging of spring 121 (Figure 32A) . Further downward urging of the bottle causes the gripping tabs 107 of the gripping support walls 105 to snap into the notches 519 in the bottle in order to lock the bottle in position on the carrier. Simultaneously, the reaction surface 51'3 of-the bottle pushes the hood 120 to its closed position in sealing engagement with the dispensing aperture 511 of the bottle 500. In addition, the closure of the hood 120 applies holding pressure downwardly to the bottle 500.

To remove the bottle from the carrier, the sequence of events is reversed, as shown sequentially by Figures 32A - 32C.

In the operation and industrial applicability of the modification of this first embodiment of the invention as shown in Figures 2A and 3A, the operation of the alignment and support arm 111 and the well 512 is the same. The resilient block 118 attached to the angularly-upwardly- projecting closure surface 117 contacts the discharge opening 511 of the bottle 500 as the bottle 500 is urged downwardly, thereby creating a sealed closure. The removal of the bottle 500 is achieved by following the reverse steps, i.e. by upward and outward pressure.

The operation and industrial operation of the second embodiment of the invention is as follows:

Before the securement of the bottle 1900 to the base 1100, the operation of the assembled main cap 2700 and the twist cap, shown in Figure 31 will be described. As shown in Figure 31, there is no access from the tube 2411 to the tube 2713, i.e. when the assembly in its "transport" orientation with the sealing cap 2711 over the access opening to the tube 2411. Twisting cap 2700 through 180° enables the tube 2713, 2714 and 2715 to align with tube 24111, thereby allowing liquid to flow into, and out of, bottle 1900, i.e. the twist cap is in its "flow" position. While not shown, an internal tube or straw may be attached to tube 2411 to provide surer access to the liquid in the bottle 1900.

The bottle 1900 is secured to the base 1100 when the twist cap is in its "flow" position.

To remove the bottle 1900 from the carrier 1100, the opposite action, i.e. upward movement of the bottle 1900 takes place. This is shown sequentially in Figures 33'A- 33D.

Because of the over centre action of the hood 1500 in co-operation with the rubber spring 1131, the bottle 1900 is permitted to vibrate slightly as a bicycle passes over uneven terrain, without the bottle 1900 being shaken off its securement.

With reference to Figures 33A, 33B, 33C and 33D, in order to secure a bottle 1900 to the carrier 1100, the hood 1120 must be sprung so that it is in its outwardly facing

"ready" orientation illustrated in Figure 32D. The bottle

1100 may then be mated with the carrier as follows: The alignment and support arm 1111 of the carrier is introduced into the deep well 1912 of the bottle (Figure 23C) . As the bottle is moved angularly-downwardly guided by the alignment arm, the gripping support walls 1105 are introduced into the indentations 1918. Continued downward urging of the bottle causes the reaction surface 1913 of the bottle to first abut the lower projection chin 1122 of the hood 1120 (Figure 32B) and then deflect the hood against the urging of spring 1121 (Figure 32C) . Further downward urging of the bottle causes the gripping tabs 1107 of the gripping support walls 1105 to snap into the notches 1919 in the bottle in order to lock the bottle in position on the carrier. Simultaneously, the reaction surface 1913 of the bottle pushes the hood 1120 to its closed position in sealing engagement with the dispensing aperture 1911 of the bottle 1900 (Figure 32A) .

To remove the bottle from the carrier, the sequence of events is reversed, as shown sequentially by Figures 33A- 33D. The operation of the third embodiment of this invention is substantially the same as the operation of the first embodiment of the invention previously described. Thus, the depressed faces 1254 of the shaker 1250 are aligned between the support arms 1217 of the carrier 1210 and downward pressure is initiated. At this time the protrusion 1257 on the shaker 1250 engages the depending arm 1225 on the cap 1223 to urge the cap 1223 downwardly against the action of the spring 1230. The downward pressure is continued until the gripping projections 1218 of the carrier 1210 enter the shallow well 1255 of the shaker 1250 to grip the shaker 1250. At this time the cap 1223 is in its over-centre, fully down and sealed orientation, as seen in the left-hand side of Figure 39. The right-hand side of Figure 39 shows the shaker 1250 either in its starting position for securement to the carrier 1210, or in its final position prior to its removal from the carrier 1210. The operation of the fourth embodiment of this invention is substantially the same as the operation of the first and third embodiments of the invention previously described. Thus, the depressed faces 4056, 4057 of the canister 4050 are aligned between the support arms 4013 of the carrier 4010 and downward pressure is initiated. At this time, the reaction face 4070 on the canister 4050 engages the depending lever 4071 on the lid 4014 to urge the lid 4014 downwardly against the action of the spring 4081. The downward pressure is continued as the guiding edge 4025 of the carrier 4010 enters the shallow ways 4058 of the canister 4050. This is seen in Figure 46A.

Figures 46A - 46D show the sequential movement of the withdrawal of the canister 4050 from the carrier 4010. The tapered portion 4082 of the channel 4057 provides ease of alignment. Mechanical stop 4085 provides for the open position of the lid 4014.

Claims

I CLAIM:

1. For use in combination with a receptacle, a mount comprising: a base for securement to a selected surface, said base including an angularly-upwardly projecting alignment and support arm projecting from said base, and cooperative means, operatively associated with said alignment and support arm, to apply pressure against said alignment and support arm to hold a receptacle impaled on said alignment and support arm; the cooperative means being e.g. gripping members co-operatively associated with said alignment and support arm and projecting outwardly from said base, and a co-operative, resiliently-biased hinged closure means; or being a co-operative, resiliently-biased hinged closure means which is longitudinally-spaced apart from said alignment and said support arm, said resiliently- biased closure means, including a hood hingedly secured to said base by an over centre hinge connection.

2. A bottle and carrier combination for use on a bicycle, said carrier comprising: a base for securement to a selected surface, said base including an angularly-upwardly projecting alignment and support arm projecting from said base, and cooperative means, operatively associated with said alignment and support arm, to apply pressure against said alignment and support arm to hold a receptacle impaled on said alignment and support arm; the cooperative means being, e.g. gripping members co-operatively associated with said alignment and support arm and projecting outwardly from said base, and a co-operative, resiliently- biased hinged closure means; or being a co-operative, resiliently-biased hinged closure means which is longitudinally-spaced apart from said alignment and support arm, said resiliently-biased closure means including a hood hingedly secured to said base by an over centre hinge connection; and, in combination with said mount, a receptacle provided with means, e.g. centrally- positioned pocket means which are adapted to co-operate with and to be impaled on and to be grippingly associated with said alignment and support arm means, the receptacle being adapted automatically to be sealed by means of said resiliently-biased closure means; said gripping association being provided by, e.g. co-operative grippable means on said receptacle, or, e.g. by a hood hingedly secured to said base by an over centre hinge connection.

3. The combination of claim 2 wherein said alignment and support arm means is of generally oval cross-section, e.g. wherein said support arm means includes a wide lower body portion converging to a narrower free end portion.

4. The combination of claims 2 or 3 wherein said gripping association is provided by securement support means which comprises a pair of longitudinally-spaced-apart upstanding walls, each wall being spaced from the alignment and support arm means; e.g. wherein said longitudinally-spaced- apart upstanding walls have a generally rectangular cross- section, and have a triangular side elevational appearance; e.g. wherein each said upstanding wall includes inwardly- directed laterally situated means for frictionally gripping said bottle which is impaled on said alignment and support arm means; e.g. wherein said frictionally-gripping means comprise a rhomboidally-shaped internally directed projection on each said upstanding wall.

5. The combination of claims 2, 3 or 4, wherein said co- operative resiliently-biased closure means comprises a closure surface projecting angularly-upwardly from the inner surface at the top of the mount, the closure surface being provided with a resilient plug thereon; e.g. wherein said pivotally-mounted, spring-biased hood is spring-biased by means of co-operation with at least one spring tension tab; e.g. wherein said spring tension tab is either formed with, or is mounted to, the base of said carrier; e.g. wherein said hood is pivotally-mounted between a pair of support risers projecting from the base of said mount; wherein said pivotal mounting is by spaced-apart pins on said hood, which fit into pivot wells in said support risers; e.g. wherein said pivotal mounting is by a pin passing through aligned apertures in said hood and said support risers.

6. The combination of claims 2, 3, 4 or 5 wherein said actuated pivoting is achieved by means of a hood closing chin on said hood, cooperating with and contacting a closing surface on said bottle; e.g. wherein the lower face of the base of said mount is provided with a pair of inwardly directed, bicycle-frame contacting flanges; e.g. wherein said bottle is an aerodynamically-shaped bottle; e.g. wherein said internal pocket of said bottle includes a wide inlet portion converging to a narrower closed end portion; e.g. wherein said co-operative female securement means comprises a pair of longitudinally-spaced-apart shallow pockets, each pocket being laterally spaced from said internal pocket; e.g. wherein said shallow pockets include rhomboidally-shaped internal depressions extending internally from the base of said shallow pockets; e.g. wherein said bottle includes a manually-openable filling aperture as well as said automatically openable and closeable outlet aperture.

7. A bottle and carrier combination, as claimed in claim 2, for use on a bicycle, said carrier comprising: a base for securement to a selected surface of a bicycle frame, said base including angularly-upwardly-projecting alignment and support arm means projecting from said base, gripping members co-operatively associated with said alignment and support arm means and projecting outwardly from said base, and a pivotally-mounted, resiliently-biased hood; and said carrier comprises: a base for securement to a selected surface of a bicycle frame, said base including central angularly-upwardly-projecting support arm means projecting from said base, laterally-spaced-apart gripping members co¬ operatively associated with said alignment and support arm means and projecting outwardly from said base, and a pivotally-mounted, resiliently-biased hood; e.g. wherein said alignment and support arm means is of generally oval cross-section; e.g. wherein said alignment and support arm means includes a wide lower body portion converging to a narrower free end portion; e.g. wherein said securement support means comprises a pair of longitudinally-spaced- apart upstanding walls, each wall being spaced from the support arm means; e.g. wherein said longitudinally-spaced- apart upstanding walls have a generally rectangular cross- section, and have a triangular side elevational appearance; e.g. wherein each said upstanding wall includes inwardly- directed laterally situated means for frictionally gripping said bottle which is impaled thereon; e.g. wherein said frictionally-gripping means comprise a rhomboidally-shaped internally directed projection on each said upstanding wall; e.g. wherein said pivotally-mounted, spring-biased hood is spring-biased by means of co-operation with at least one spring tension tab; e.g. wherein said spring tabs have either been formed with, or are mounted to, the base of said carrier; e.g. wherein said hood is pivotally- mounted between a pair of support risers projecting from the base of said mount; e.g. wherein said pivotal mounting is by spaced-apart pins on said hood, which fit into pivot wells in said support risers; e.g. wherein said pivotal mounting is by a pin passing through aligned apertures in said hood and said support risers; e.g. wherein said actuated pivoting is achieved by means of a hood closing chin on said hood, cooperating with and contacting a closing surface on said bottle; e.g. wherein the lower face of the base of said mount is provided with a pair of inwardly directed, bicycle-frame contacting flanges; e.g. wherein said bottle is provided with an internal pocket of the same complementary shape, size and location as, and being adapted to mate with, said support arm means, said bottle also having co-operative means adapted to grip said gripping members, said bottle also having an opening adapted to be sealed upon fitment of said bottle with respect to said carrier by actuated pivoting of said resiliently-biased hood with respect to said carrier; e.g. wherein said bottle is provided with a central internal pocket of the same complementary shape, size and location as, and is adapted to be impaled on said central alignment and support arm means, said bottle also including co¬ operative laterally-spaced-apart female grippable means of the same complementary shape, size and location as, and adapted to mate with, said gripping members, by actuated pivoting of said resiliently-biased hood with respect to said carrier; e.g. wherein said bottle is an aerodynamically-shaped bottle; e.g. wherein said internal pocket of said bottle includes a wide inlet portion converging to a narrower closed end portion; e.g. wherein said co-operative female securement means comprises a pair of longitudinally-spaced-apart shallow pockets, each pocket being laterally spaced from said internal pocket; e.g. wherein said shallow pockets include rhomboidally-shaped internal depressions extending internally from the base of said shallow pockets.

8. The receptacle and mount combination of claim 2 wherein said mount comprises: a base for securement to a selected surface, said base including angularly-upwardly- projecting central alignment and support arm means projecting from said base, and longitudinally-spaced apart means co-operatively associated with said central alignment and support arm means and spaced-apart means including a pivotally-mounted, spring-biased closure means including a hood hingedly and springingly secured to said base by an' over centre hinge connection; and in combination with the mount, a receptacle provided with means, e.g. centrally- positioned pocket means which are adapted to co-operate with and to be impaled on and to be grippingly associated with the alignment and support arm means, the receptacle being adapted automatically to be sealed by means of the resiliently-biased closure means; the gripping association being provided by, e.g. co-operative, resiliently-biased closure means, including a hood hingedly secured to the base by an over-centre hinge connection.

9. The bottle and carrier combination of claim 8, wherein said carrier comprises: a base for securement to a selected surface of a bicycle frame, said base including central angularly-upwardly-projecting support arm means projecting from said base, and a pivotally-mounted, resiliently-biased hood hingedly mounted to said carrier by an over centre hinge connection; and wherein said bottle is provided with a central internal pocket of the same complementary shape, size and location as, and being adapted to be impaled upon, said central alignment and support arm means, said bottle also including an opening fitted with a main cap fitted with a twist cap, which caps are adapted to co-operate to convert said main cap from a sealed cap to a flow-through cap and vice versa, said flow-through cap being adapted automatically to be sealed upon fitment of said receptacle with respect to said mount by actuated pivoting of said spring-biased closure means with respect to said mount; said conversion being achieved by 180° rotation of said twist cap with respect to said main cap.

10. For use with a pair of receptacles, a mount comprising: a central upright column provided with two oppositely positioned, angularly-upwardly-projecting pairs of laterally-spaced-apart alignment and support arm means, a pair of upper, pivotally-mounted, resiliently-biased caps, and a platform supporting said central upright column; e.g. wherein said platform is provided with lower, gripping suction pads; e.g. wherein said support arm means are of generally rectangular cross-section; e.g. wherein said support arm means, in plan view, include a wide lower body portion converging to a narrower free end portion; e.g. wherein the length of said support arm means is the same as the length of the slot in the canister within which it is adapted to fit; e.g. wherein said co-operative grippable support means comprises inwardly directed edges or ends on the support arm means; e.g. wherein said pivotally-mounted, spring-biased caps are spring-biased by means of co-operation with a spring tension tab; e.g. wherein said spring tension tab is either formed with, or is fitted on, said upright column of said mount; e.g. wherein said cap is pivotally mounted between a pair of support arms extending laterally from the top of said central upright column; e.g. wherein said pivotal mounting is achieved by spaced-apart stubs on said support arms fitting into pivot wells in said caps; e.g. wherein said actuated pivoting of said caps to seal said receptacles is achieved by means of a cap-closing contact protrusion on said receptacle co-operating with a depending arm on said cap; said mount being provided per se. or in combination with a pair of receptacles, each of said receptacle of said pair of receptacles being provided with opposite depres¬ sions in the side walls thereof engageable with said support arm means, and an opening adapted automatically to be closed by actuated pivoting of said resiliently-biased cap with respect to said central column; e.g. wherein said pivotally-mounted spring-biased lid is spring-biased by co¬ operation with a fitted spring; e.g. wherein said fitted spring is attached to said central upright column; e.g. wherein said alignment and support arm means are generally rectangular in cross-section; e.g. wherein the length of each such alignment and support arm means is the same as the length of the depressions in the receptacle within which it is adapted to fit; e.g. wherein said lids are mounted between a pair of support risers extending from said upright column; e.g. wherein said pivotal mounting is achieved by spaced-apart pins on said support riser fitting into pivot wells in said lids; e.g. wherein said actuated pivoting of the lid to seal said receptacle is achieved by means of depending arm means on said lid co-operating with a protrusion on the upper portion of said canister; e.g. including a resilient material within said lid to seal the dispensing opening in the receptacle; and e.g. wherein said platform is provided with lower, gripping suction pads.

11. For use with a plurality of canisters, a mount comprising a base, a lower plurality of pairs of laterally- spaced-apart angularly-upwardly-projecting alignment and support arm means projecting from said base, and a plurality of upper pivotally-mounted, resiliently-biased outwardly-projecting lids; wherein the pivotal mounting is achieved by spaced-apart stubs on the support arms fitting into pivot wells in the caps; wherein the actuated pivoting of the caps to seal the canisters is achieved by means of a cap-closing contact protrusion on the canister co¬ operating with a depending arm on the cap; said mount being provided per se, or in combination with a plurality of canisters, each said canister comprising a rectangular parallelepiped, open-topped canister having two side wall indentations which are adapted to mate with said laterally- spaced-apart alignment and support arm means, the spacing of a transverse space between said two side wall indentations in said canister being the same as the space between a co-operative pair of alignment and support arm means, said open top of said canister being adapted to be closed by said lid by means of actuated pivoting of said lid with respect to said base; wherein the pivotally- mounted spring-biased lid is spring-biased by co-operation with a fitted spring; wherein the fitted spring is attached between a protruding post on the lid and the carrier; wherein the alignment and support arm means are generally rectangular in cross-section; wherein the length of each such alignment and support arm means is the same as the length of the side wall indentation in the canister within which it is adapted to fit; wherein the lids are mounted between a pair of support risers projecting from the baseboard; wherein the pivotal mounting is achieved by spaced-apart pins on the support riser fitting into pivot wells in the lids; wherein the actuated pivoting of the lid to seal the canister is achieved by means of depending arm means on the lid co-operating with an actuating face on the upper portion of the canister; wherein a plurality of spaced-apart mounts are fitted to a base board; and wherein a resilient material is included within the lid to seal the dispensing opening in the canister.